RUWENZORI TREK & CLIMB . GORILLA TREK
While Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya are taller, Rwenzori-Margherita Peak is known as a more challenging hike. What makes it so tough is the rainforest and bog you must trek through. Mud is often past your knees if you make a wrong step, which you will. Despite the tough going, it is an incredibly rewarding trek.
Day 1: Travel day.
Day 2: Arrival early morning. Transfer to Sheraton hotel in Kampala entire group rest. Organize upcoming expedition.
DRIVING TIME FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL ?:
Day 3: Climbers Transfer to Equator snow lodge
6-7 hours transfer.
JENO KALOZDI STATING AT THEW SHERATON HOTEL
Day 4: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
In the morning after breakfast, we will have a pick-up from our hotel in Kasese town, transfer to Nyakalejia Park. Here we will have instructions from the park rangers and an introduction to the route,
as well as meeting with our guides and porters. After that, we will embark on a journey along a path that passes through a dense forest along the Mubuku River, crosses its tributary of the Mahoma River, and then a long climb to the massive ridge, along which you will reach the Nyabitaba hut (2651 m). During this part of the journey, we can hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and brightly colored turraco Rwenzori. Duration of the hike: 6-7 hours. Elevation height: 1036 m
Day 5: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)
After breakfast, from Nyabitaba hut we will follow a trail that descends through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Next, we will pass a bamboo forest and a long, tiring stretch of slippery moss-covered cliffs. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, we will see the Stanley Mountains (Margherita Peak (5109m)) and Speke (4890m). And then we will find ourself in the zone of giant heather, lobelia and agriculture. Finally reach John Matte’s hut (3505 m). Dinner and overnight at the hut. Duration of the hike: 7-8 hours. Elevation height: 854 m
Day 6: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)
From John Matte Hut, the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters the Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Will enjoy the beautiful but hypnotising boardwalk through the open valley. Transition through a steep forested section to the upper Bigo bog which gives way to Lake Bujuku, with views of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west. This 4-5 hour hike ends at Bujuku hut. Bujuku is also a launchpad for climbing Mount Speke.
Day 7: Rest Day. ACCLIMATIZATION. Option to climb Mt Speke 4,563m.
Day 8: Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m).
From Bujuku Hut, after a muddy area, will start a steep climb through a forest of giant groundsels up to the Groundsel Gully. A branch in the trail leads to Elena Hut, 4.430 m, arrival point for the ones who intend to climb Margherita Peak. If you are only taking the central circuit, then the trail proceeds directly to Kitandara Hut. You walk through Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., the highest point during the central circuit, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views down the Bujuku valley, of Mount Baker, Mount Luigi di Savoia and Stanley just above. This is a steep, rocky trail which when is wet or icy can be very slippery.
Day 9: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Kitandara hut (4027m)
This long and tough summit day begins in the dead of night with headlamps will scramble up the rocks above Elena hut to the Stanley plateau for the first glacier crossing then Descend to Irene Lakes junction then ascend again to the base of the steep Margherita glacier. A final long push on snow and ice with ice axe and crampons and fix ropes avoiding crevasses will bring us to the glorious summit. Will work our way back down past Elena, stop for a quick change of clothes and some food, then pick up our pack and continue down to Kitandara hut to rest at a lower altitude.
Day 10: Kitandara (4027m) – Fresh field Pass (4282m) – Guy Yeoman (3450m)
Take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh Field Pass (4282m asl.) From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy trail. Thereafter start the descent through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906, until we arrive for an overnight at Guy Yeoman hut after 6-7 hours.
NICK FLYING TO ENTEBBE AND TRANSFER TO SHERATON HOTEL IN KAMPALA MEETING JENO
Day 11: Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija—Drive to Kibale National park. Dinner and Overnight at Primate lodge Kibale. (Approx. 2 hours drive)https://ugandalodges.com/primate
Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the boggy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing up to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue past Nyabitaba Camp to complete your trek through Mihunga gate to Nyakalengija, at the base.
HIKING TIME FROM GUY YEOMAN TO NYAKALENGIJA ?:
JENO & NICK TRANSFER FROM KAMPALA SHERATON HOTEL TO KIBALE LODGE UGANDALODGE/PRIMATE
Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking –Drive to Bwindi National park. Dinner and
Overnight at Mahogany springs Lodge. (Approx. 6 hours drive)
Day 13: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi NP—Drive to Mbarara (Approx 5 hours drive) Dinner and Overnight at Lake View Hotel
Day 14: Drive back to Entebbe do the PCR Test and fly back home. (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)
CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PCR TESTING ? DONE IN THE HOSPITAL, RESULT WITHIN HOURS ?
The package includes:
Ground Transportation
Gorilla permits
Chimpanzee permits
Rwenzori 8 days Hike to Margarita
Accommodation and meals on full board
En route Lunch and water
English speak guide
Park entrance fees
Ice climbing equipment (ice axe, crampons, helmet, harness and ropes
As well as gumboots)
Accommodation on the mountain (wooden hut with a small mattress)
Meals as you hike
Guides and a porters
The price excludes:
Air ticket, Visas, Covid tests, Laundry, Tips, Hiking gear, and any
other personal expenses not included in the package.
TEAM
Mountain guide:
Jean Pavillard (I will arrive a day or two early to make sure all is in place and fly out a day later to make sure everything is in order)
Climbing team:
Monica Kalozdi
Hannah Kalozdi
Nicolas Vogel
Viviane Vogel
Monika Groetches
Sebastian Groetches
Emanuel Groetches
? Maybe one more Groetches
Participants joining the team for safaris:
Jeno Kalozdi arriving on June 17. Meeting the group on June 26 and flying out with the group June 29
Nick Kalozdi arriving on June 25 to meet Jeno and continue with Jeno meeting group on June 26 flying out on June 29
Please let me know the type of gear you are providing as they all have their personal climbing gear. Maybe easier for them to use their own ?
Gumboots ? maybe for this too. Is it better to bring their own if possible ? more comfortable ?
Can you describe the type of meals during the trek/climb ? I need to check if they have food restrictions ? and I know that Monica eat simple food not much veggies, etc….
I have set a rest day, acclimatization on June 22 at the Bujuku hut. We can use that day as a weather day, we can also do a rest day at Elena. Maybe we can decide when there.
E-visa: the participants are from the USA (Kalozdi) or from Switzerland (Vogel – Groetches-Pavillard)